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Date Posted: Sunday, March 19, 10:44:40pm
Author: EKF
Subject: Re: when did this happen?
In reply to: Rico 's message, "when did this happen?" on Tuesday, March 07, 09:07:27pm

Pic's from LA Times-
http://community.webshots.com/photo/547934317/2984811210086210065XYrtJj

Big 'O' 39 year senior officer of the BSR passes away-
Mourners Recall an 'Original'

Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-chandler7mar07,0,896841.story?page=1&coll=la-headlines-california

Mourners Recall an 'Original'
About 900 people from all walks of life remember Otis Chandler, former publisher of The Times, at a memorial service in Pasadena.
By Mitchell Landsberg, Times Staff Writer
March 7, 2006


If anyone had walked into the memorial service for Otis Chandler on Monday with the idea that the former Times publisher was somehow one-dimensional, Big Willie Robinson was there to set them straight.

A 6-foot, 6-inch, 305-pound drag racer in camouflage clothing and a biker-style leather vest, Robinson leaped to his feet midway through the service at All Saints Church in Pasadena, strode up the center aisle and announced, quite unscripted: "Excuse me, everybody. It's very important that I speak to you all, because Otis Chandler meant a lot to me."

Mourners Recall an 'Original'
March 7 2006

Page 2 of 2

Perhaps the biggest presence at the service, in more ways than one, was Robinson, president of the National & International Brotherhood of Street Racers, an organization dedicated to using drag racing as a tool to reduce racial tension and street crime. He said Chandler was instrumental in helping him found the organization in 1966, and frequently attended its drag races over the years. Chandler, Robinson said, gave him the nickname "Big Willie," and he called the publisher "Big O."

He startled the congregation with his impromptu eulogy, delivered in a booming voice. As church officials hovered nervously, Harry Chandler indicated that they should allow Robinson to continue speaking. After the service, he approached Robinson and thanked him.

Robinson credited Chandler with interceding with then-Mayor Richard Riordan after the 1992 riots to allow a drag-racing program at Terminal Island, where young people could race instead of fight.

"We still need him today," he said, "but he's gone home…. Right now, I guarantee you, he's racing in heaven."





Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-chandler7mar07,0,896841.story?page=1&coll=la-headlines-california

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Replies:

[> [> [> Re: when did this happen? -- ..., Monday, March 20, 11:57:34pm

A friend of mine that used to work for LA Times as a machinist was just sharing some stories with me about hanging out with Otis' son Mike (?)Chandler who was an Indy car driver at the time. He was telling me about the good ol days where Otis would have 3 semi trucks pull up to Riverside raceway. the trucks would be packed with 6 cars each. Ferrari's, Porsches, you name it. My friend was fortunate enough to be able to ride along with Mike in a 959 Porsche and get one of the hariest rides he's ever had. THEN take over driving one of the Ferraris with Otis himself in the passenger seat. He was a good driver in his own rite but got down onto the apron and put the car up on two wheels!!! A little scary moment. all this while Otis himself was sitting in the passenger seat. All he said was: Boy? is that the best you can do???? Its a damn shame that he's gone. The world lost a true motorsport icon. RIP Otis.

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[> [> [> [> what about -- Rico, Tuesday, March 21, 10:55:15pm

The stories i heard about Ms. Hurst skinny dipping in the Chandler estate pool on any given day?

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